French champions Lille reignited their hopes of reaching the Champions League knockout stages after beating CSKA Moscow 2-0 here on Tuesday in their Champions League Group B encounter.
CSKA defender Vasily Berezutsky helped them on the way with an own-goal in the 49th minute and striker Moussa Sow added the second after tapping home when English star Joe Cole's shot hit the post and fell to him.
The result left Lille, CSKA and Trabzonspor sharing second all on five points ahead of the later Group B match between the Turkish side and 2010 champions Inter Milan, who are assured of progressing following this result.
Should CSKA and Lille finish level, the French side will edge them on head to head results.
Lille, who were in a must-win position to keep alive their chances of reaching the the play-offs, moved up a gear after 15 minutes to create a couple of opportunities but Cole and Mathieu Debuchy squandered their chances both missing the target from close range.
In the 39th minute Sow - who had scored in the clubs first meeting the 2-2 draw in France - was unable to force the ball home from close range, while defender Franck Beria should have done better with the follow-up effort but shot into the side netting with the goal gaping.
CSKA were lacking in a cutting edge in attack, patently missing their suspended Ivory Coast sharpshooter Seydou Doumbia, while Lille continued to probe and test the hosts defence.
Their pressure paid-off as Berezutsky sent the ball into his own net from the edge of the box while attempting to prevent Sow dribbling into the area.
CSKA poured into the attack seeking an equaliser but to no avail as they made too many mistakes, and Sow wrapped up the match as this time he made no mistake from close range after Cole's excellent effort hit the woodwork.
Source: AFP
